About Us

154 Years of tradition in the wire industry

Steeped in tradition, Schaff began in the wire business over 154 years ago as a manufacturer of piano strings. Schaff has expanded to meet the industry’s ever changing needs by becoming a major distributor of music wire, stainless steel wire, plated wire, hard-drawn wire and many specialty grades, as well as straightened-and-cut applications.

From large corporations to family owned businesses, Schaff supplies materials for everyone.

A Brief History

1861

Gotthard and John A. Schaff started a piano manufacturing company in Chicago under then name of G. Schaff Bros.

1884

John A. Schaff began manufacturing high quality, mass-produced bass strings. Chicago was becoming the center of production for many major piano companies and there was a large demand for quality bass strings.

1955

The Johnson family purchased the piano supply business from Continental Music, which was previously owned by Lyon & Healy. Lyon & Healy had originally purchased the supply company from Tonk Bros. Manufacturing.

The establishment of Blue Chip Wire marked the beginning of the conduit manufacturing and wire distribution division.

1990

The name of Blue Chip Wire was changed to Schaff International Ltd.

1992

A 20,000 square foot addition was added for further expansion.

2007

Schaff International, Ltd. was acquired by North Shore Acquisitions, but continues under the Schaff name.

2009

Schaff International expanded its conduit and spring manufacturing division to include CNC milling.

2012

Schaff International acquired H.O. Wire and relocated the equipment and employees to Lake Zurich, Illinois.

2015

Schaff International purchases Lemke Machine Products of Woodstock, Illinois in November. All employees and equipment relocated to Lake Zurich, Illinois. The acquisition adds additional Vertical and Horizontal CNC lathe capacity to the existing Swiss CNC operation. This operation serves the transportation industry with concentration in Rail and Agriculture.

2016

Schaff's principal purchases 100% ownership of Maroney Company of Northridge, Ca. Maroney, established in 1955, is an ultra-high precision EDM/CNC machining operation serving the Aerospace and Defense industry.